Una Adventura en España Past Review
By A student (Spanish Ed, University of Wisconsin - River Falls) - abroad from 01/14/2015 to 05/01/2015 with
UW-Platteville Education Abroad at the Spanish-American Institute of International Education (SAIIE)
I discovered that I have a long way to go in learning Spanish but that I can do it and everyone hits barriers while learning a new language. I feel that this was a very worthwhile experience and it helped me learn and grow as a person.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I felt that we were challenged on a daily bases. Our courses reinforced what we were learning every time we walked outside. I felt that most of the teachers were very willing to answer questions and genuinely liked what they were teaching. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mother was very nice and an amazing cook. She was always looking out for us and was interested in our activities and travels. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like we could go out and do activities on our own, but I feel like it was really difficult getting to know the locals and that we were kind of separate from the native people/speakers. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Food on the weekends ended up being costly especially if you also want souvenirs. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100.00 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save as much money as you can before you get there and do your bests to set a budget for yourself each week (not including travels to other countries) and stick with it. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Fifth semester college Spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Go out and speak to anyone and everyone in the native language of the country. Try to make native speaking friends as well. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I would've known that we were only with other American students and not any native ones. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
